A Recommended Framework for a Great Lakes Early Warning System

Session: Building an Early Warning System for the Great Lakes

Michael Donahue, AECOM, [email protected]

Abstract

The Science Advisory Board (SAB) of the International Joint Commission (IJC) funded the development of a framework for a Great Lakes Early Warning System (GLEWS); a means to allow the Great Lakes scientific and management communities to “get ahead of the curve” in addressing emerging and anticipated issues before they threaten the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin. Toward that end, a multi-faceted approach consisting of a literature review, interviews, survey and Experts Workshop was taken to 1) identify and prioritize emerging and anticipated threats and stressors; and 2) develop a conceptual framework for a GLEWS to characterize these threats and stressors and link them to response actions. Project outcomes included the identification and prioritization of several dozen current, emerging and anticipated threats and stressors adversely impacting ecological integrity.  In addition, structural and operational alternatives of a recommended framework were explored, with the recommended alternative being a distinct and formalized entity within the IJC structure. This presentation will address the impetus, process and outcome of the SAB-commissioned framework study.  In so doing, it will lay a foundation for further refinements to the GLEWS framework as well as for its subsequent implementation.